National Medal of Honor Day

CWO4 Hershel Williams — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:06:48 -0400

To celebrate Medal of Honor day, RallyPoint connected with me and asked me the following questions.

How do you feel as a veteran of WWII about getting Vaccinated?

To answer the question about vaccinations, I was one of the first in our area to receive the vaccine. I am a firm believer that everyone should receive the vaccine. It seems to me that that's the only way that we're all going to be able to completely overcome this virus. It is about people getting immune to it through the vaccination.

What’s the most difficult task you’ve undertaken as a Medal of Honor recipient?

I don't consider receiving the Medal of Honor or anything relating to it as a task. I am extremely honored to have been selected to receive the Medal of Honor. Probably the most difficult adjustment I had to make when I received the Medal of Honor is that I became a public figure that I was not prepared to be. It took quite some time for me to adjust to being a public figure and representing all of those who'd received the Medal of Honor and particularly those who never got to come home.

If you could give advice to currently serving and future service members, what would it be and why?

I have advocated for years that individuals who are capable and physically able to serve our country, after graduating high school, they should devote at least one year to serving either in the military or in some form of serving our government for the privilege of being an American and living in a free country. Those who are on active duty have a tremendous responsibility and the best thing they can do, of course, is to be the very best they can be as a true soldier, sailor, marine, coastguardsmen, airman or woman. If they'll give it all they’ve got, they will certainly benefit from that.

Has receiving the MOH given you a different perspective on life?

Receiving the Medal of Honor, which I had never heard of prior to my actually receiving it, had a complete change in my thinking and realizing my total responsibility as a recipient of the Medal of Honor and it placed upon me the desire to in some form continue to serve the American public in some way.

You’ve lived a life of service and have worked extremely hard for your country, what’s your key to success?

I believe that most of us have some desire within us to serve in some way, to serve others, our community or serve our country. I realized that I had to have a specific purpose and determination to be successful. I believe serving in ways that will benefit others is a key to success.

I hope all the past and future recipients have a great day, you deserve it!

*The photo is Harry Truman awarding me the Medal

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Mar 25 at 2021 9:09 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 09:09:10 -0400

Solid advice -- thanks for your continued service and advocacy

Response by LTC John Griscom made Mar 25 at 2021 10:03 AM

LTC John Griscom — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 10:03:29 -0400

Thank you for your service.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Mar 25 at 2021 10:49 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 10:49:11 -0400

Thank you for everything you've done for our country, CWO4 Hershel Williams. I will always remember your story.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2021 11:06 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:06:06 -0400

Keep leading from the front with that flame thrower Gunner. I'm honored to walk the planet with a Marine like you. Semper Fidelis

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Mar 25 at 2021 11:59 AM

CW5 Jack Gaudet — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:59:08 -0400

Thank you for your service salute to you for receiving the MOH.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 25 at 2021 1:47 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 13:47:46 -0400

Keep driving on Brother, see you at the next convention!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 25 at 2021 6:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:03:31 -0400

Thank u 4 your service. What drives me is love and passion. When I was serving there was a bond of love and respect with other soldiers. A sense of love that civilians don’t understand because they will never be ordered to hold at all cost to protect a unit or try to slow down the enemy. My values keeps me in check. There will b no compromise.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2021 6:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:46:45 -0400

Met the man several times. Stand up guy.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Mar 25 at 2021 7:20 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 19:20:43 -0400

Thanks for the reminder. I had actually forgotten about that this year with so much to do.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Mar 25 at 2021 9:01 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 21:01:53 -0400

Good advice, and thank you Chief for CONTINUING to serve and represent all that is good about you AND your fellow service members and Veterans.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2021 10:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 22:01:27 -0400

CWO4 Hershel Williams Sir, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on a variety of subjects & Thank You for your Military Service and continued service to your community.

Response by Wayne Soares made Mar 28 at 2021 1:27 PM

Wayne Soares — Sun, 28 Mar 2021 13:27:55 -0400

Thanks for your service brother Hershel

Response by SSG Samuel Kermon made Mar 31 at 2021 7:34 AM

SSG Samuel Kermon — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 07:34:06 -0400

Thank you sir for your service and your response.

Response by Cpl Archie H. made Apr 14 at 2021 2:10 PM

Cpl Archie H. — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:10:45 -0400

The criteria for the Medal
of Honor has not changed! My biggest and deeper fear is Americans including the US military in spite of the bravado will not be ready for the next war. Many Marine Regiments lost more men as casualties during Vietnam war than the Marines lost in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We fight wars today from the squeaky clean boardroom. Historically our wars have been over there away from our shores. We do not have geography to protect our shopping culture. I can only speak of my own experience of war. In spite of my time facing the enemy was over 50 years, my
memories are as if it was last month.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Apr 14 at 2021 5:16 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:16:20 -0400

Thank you Sir!